While the courts and Congress decide what to do about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the Pentagon says it's trying to clear up the confusion. Has it created even more? Also, French police push back against protestors. On Reporter's Notebook, is it the end of the high-tech fence on the Mexican Border?

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While the courts and Congress decide what to do about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the Pentagon says it's trying to clear up the confusion. Has it created even more? Also, French police push back against protestors, and after spending a billion dollars on cameras, radar and vibration sensors, Washington may be abandoning the so-called "invisible fence" on the Mexican border.

Banner image: Gay activist Dan Choi stands outside the Times Square Armed Forces Recruiting Center after he reenlisted in the US Army October 20, 2010 in New York City. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Bush Administration started building a high-tech fence along the Mexican borders to monitor traffic in drugs and human beings. But Mother Nature has helped to defeat technology. After spending more than a billion dollars on cameras, radar and vibration sensors along the US-Mexican border, the Department of Homeland Security has decided not to exercise Boeing's one-year option to continue its work on the project. Brian Bennett reports from Washington for the Tribune Company.

Last month, Federal Judge Virginia Phillips declared that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" deprives gays and lesbians of equal rights under the Constitution, and further deprives the military of highly qualified officers. Ten days ago she ordered the Pentagon to stop enforcing the law, allowing openly gay and lesbian recruits to volunteer. Two days ago an appellate court temporarily suspended her order. Yesterday, the Pentagon said it would clear up the confusion by limiting the power of discharge to the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Will a President who says he opposes the law tell the secretaries what to do? Will the lame-duck session of Congress repeal the law before it gets to the US Supreme Court? We hear what it's like for gays, lesbians and their comrades who are serving now, with all three branches of government trying to decide what to do.

With drivers struggling to find fuel in France, police today broke the blockade of an oil refinery near Paris, and President Sarkozy moved to accelerate a Senate vote on pension reforms that have sparked weeks of strikes and sometimes violent demonstrations. Steven Erlanger reports from Paris for the New York Times.